Toshiba M Series with 10x Zoom

Toshiba Imaging Systems has recently announced its new M Series range
of digital camera, the PDR-M700 and PDR-M500. The PDR-M700 offers a 3.2
megapixel resolution, while the PDR-M500 offers 2.0 megapixels. Both have
with 10x Canon optical zoom lenses (35mm equiv. to 35mm - 350mm) and 16Mb
SD cards. The PDR-M700 is priced at around US $449 and the PDR-M500 at
around US $349.

Both M Series cameras -- the PDR-M500 2.0 megapixel camera (US $349)
and the PDR-M700 3.2 megapixel camera (US $449) -- are designed to meet
the needs of advanced amateur shutterbugs seeking a variety of high-quality
photographic and inventive multimedia requirements. They are expected
to ship in early July.

"The PDR-M500 and PDR-M700 represent a number of firsts for Toshiba
in digital cameras, including our most powerful telephoto zoom with total
40X zooming capability, our fastest continuous shooting, and our largest
LCD screen," said Doug Freck, Vice President and General Manager,
Toshiba Imaging Systems. "We are very excited about these cameras
as they are a perfect complement to today's digital lifestyle."

Feature Set

Stylish, compact, and feature-rich, the two new cameras are identical
in appearance, apart from the color of their housings. The PDR-M500 sports
a high-tech silver hue, while the PDR-M700 has a classic champagne tint.
The body design mirrors the traditional look and feel of a 35mm SLR camera
while showcasing the impressive digital technology.

In the booming category of digital cameras for consumers, M Series cameras
are standouts. With their wealth of advanced photographic features and
controls, the PDR-M500 and PDR-M700 redefine what a digital camera should
be.

10X OPTICAL ZOOM LENS: Both cameras provide for a range of shooting
possibilities thanks to a Canon 10X optical zoom lens equivalent to
a 35-350mm lens on a 35 mm camera. This up-close feel is greatly enhanced
by a 4X digital telephoto mode that, when used in conjunction with the
optical zoom, produces a jaw-dropping 40X zooming capability without
compromising image clarity from any distance.

CONTINUOUS SHOOTING: For action sequences, M Series cameras have a
continuous shooting mode that captures up to 4 high-resolution images
per second for up to 9 frames (PDR-M500) or 6 frames (PDR-M700) when
the shutter button is held down. In addition, the photographer can capture
one shot per second for up to 16 seconds (PDR-M500) or 14 seconds (PDR-M700).
Unlike other cameras in its class that are troubled by slow shutter
response time, M Series cameras achieve optimal speed with their vastly-improved
TTL method auto-focus featuring a more sensitive contrast detection
system. On the other end of the photographic spectrum, the shutter can
be manually set to remain open for up to 16 seconds (0.7, 1, 2, 4, 8,
16 seconds) for extended exposure photography, excellent for night-time
shooting and fireworks.

2.5 INCH LCD SCREEN: M Series cameras give shutterbugs the really
big picture thanks to a 2.5 inch low-temperature poly silicon LCD. The
118K-pixel screen is 60% larger than the LCDs found on most other digital
cameras. Moreover, the Toshiba LCD automatically adjusts to ambient
lighting conditions for maximum visibility to aid the user in framing
and shooting.

AEB FUNCTION: As any experienced photographer knows, it may be difficult
at times to settle on the exact exposure value while shooting in manual
mode. For that reason, M Series cameras have AEB (Auto Exposure Bracketing)
to make several bracket shots of the same subject with different exposure
points, and then choose the best exposed shot for saving.

MULTIMEDIA: Adding to the camera's appeal is an extended play movie
mode with audio that records uninterrupted based on the capacity of
the SD card, rather than pause each 15 seconds as is the case
with lesser-quality cameras. Like digital photos, the AVI videos (320x240,
15 fps) can be stored on an SD memory card, viewed on a TV, burned onto
CDs or DVDs, e-mailed to friends or colleagues, posted on a website,
or used in multimedia authoring. The cameras are equipped with a terminal
so that users can also connect an external microphone for higher audio
quality.

ADAPTER RING: For the first time in a Toshiba digital camera, an adapter
ring will be included standard with the PDR-M500 and PDR-M700 cameras.
This 52mm ring allows conversion lens and filters to fit onto the camera
lens barrel to enhance versatility.

SD MEMORY CARDS: PDR-M500 and PDR-M700 cameras ship with a 16MB SD
card capable of holding up to 268 JPEG images. Both cameras support
SD card up to 512MB. Exceptionally compact, SD cards do not need a power
source to store information and permit fast downloads of images. Individual
storage folders can be created inside the SD card to better organize
pictures.

ACCESSORIES: Other accessories included with PDR-M500 and PDR-M700
cameras are: a wireless remote control, a soft case, a wrist strap,
a protective lens cap, an instruction manual, ACDSee software
on a CD, a USB cable, a Video cable (PAL/NTSC), and 4x Alkaline AA batteries.

For more information, U.S. customers can call 1-800-288-1354. Fax, 1-800-640-8674.
Or visit Toshiba on the Web at www.dsc.toshiba.com.
Consumers are encouraged to visit www.shoptoshiba.com
for on-line shopping.